Wheel-cleaning device



April 19, 1927.

D. c. MULVIHI LL WHEEL CLEANiNG DEVICE Filed Jan. 19, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 1 fn entan C/{aiaz/ZEZZ hmnm April 19, 1927.

D. C. MULVIHILL WHEEL CLEANING DEVICE Filed Jan. 2.9. 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 2 II II II ILLLIE April 19. 1927. 1,625,137

D. .c. MULV IHILL WHEEL CLEANING DEVICE Filed Jan. 19, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 3 fnwnw: Jaye ZLOZ C. 4x20212222 April 19, 1927.

0. c. MULVlHlLL WHEEL CLEANING DEVICE Filed Jan. 19. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet4 f zyenar: ,Dan c'eZ C/(aZvc'kzZZ Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

E S TATS PATENT 0 Prices.

DANIEL o. MULVIHILL, or HANNEBAL, M rs-sonar.

WHEEL-CLEANING DEVICE.

Application filed January 19, 1825.

This invention relates to car wheel cleaning and finishing devices,

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of new and improvedmeans for removing sand and other foreign matter adhering to the sidesof the wheel, after the same has been cast.

Another object of the invention is the provision of new and improvedmechanism for simultaneously mechanically removing from both sides ofthe wheel foreign matter adhering thereto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of new andimproved means for grinding the hubs and flanges of car wheels.

Other objects of the invention are the provision of new and improvedwheel cleaning and flange and hub grinding or facing mechanism that issimple in construction, cheap to manufacture, efiicient in operation,composed of few moving parts, and that is not likely to become broken orget out of order.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig, 2;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the wheel rotating device; showing a modifiedform of construction; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a portion of a wheel, showing thebrushes in engagement therewith.

In the casting of car wheels, sand and other foreign matter will adhereto the surface of the wheels, and owing to the con figuration of thesides of the Wheel the same is difficult to remove. Means formechanically accomplishing this purpose constitutes a part of thesubject-matter of this invention.

In the form of the device selected to illustrate one embodiment of theinvention the reference character 10 designates the base on which frame11 of the brushing mechanism is mounted. The frame of the brushingmechanism comprises the upright supports 12 and 13 spaced apart andsecured in spaced relation by the frame member 14:,

In order to expedite the movements of the wheels to operating position,and their removal therefrom, the base 10 and the frame member 14 areprovided with tracks 15 and 16. Each of these tracks is formed by twoangle bars 17 and 18 spaced apart a Sufi- Serial No. 3,348.

cient distance to engage the flange 19 of the wheel 21. These tracksextend in -front and at therear-of the frame 11 and preferably areinclined slightly downward at their rear ends, whereby the Wheels willmove by gravity along the same. The upper track 15 will be considered asa guide for the upper portion of the Wheel.

Suitable mechanism is provided for me chanically brushing the wheel onone or both sides. In the form of the device shown on the drawing twosets'of movable brushes 22 and 23 are employed, one set at each side ofthe wheel. that it substantially conforms to the contour of the side ofthe wheel upon which the same is mounted, Where the outer surf-ace ofthe wheel is concave as shown at 24 in Fig. 5 the wheel engaging ends ofthe wire bristles 25 of the brush 23 are correspondingly convex.Likewise, the bristles 26 of the brush 22 conform to the outer surfaceof the webs 27 of the wheel. The brushes22 and 23 are mounted on plates28 and 29 which are rigidly connected to the inner ends oft-he shafts 31and 32, respectively. These shafts are slidably mounted in bearings 33and 34 carried by the frame 11.

Suitable means are provided for rotating the shafts 31 and 32. As shown,a motor 35 mounted on the frame 11 is geared to the power shaft 36 byworm drive as at 37. Drive wheels 38 and 39 keyed to the shafts 31 and32 respectively are driven from the power shaft 36 through the flexibledrives 41 and 4-2.

Means are provided for moving the brushes 22 and 23 simultaneously intoengagement with the sides of the wheel. Any suitable means may beemployed for this purpose. As shown, levers i3 and 4:41 pivoted as at4'5 and 16 tov the frame 11 are provided with yoke and trunnion 417 and8 for engaging grooved rotating members 4:9 and 51 fixed on the shafts31 and 32' respectively. In order that the movement of one lever willcause corresponding movement of the other lever for simultaneouslymoving the brushes toward or from each other, the following mechanism isemployed,

A lever 96 is pivoted to the frame 11, as at 97. Links 98 and 99 arepivoted to the levers 43 and 4A,, respectively,--at their outer ends,and to the lever 96' at each side of the pivot 97, as at 100, 101,respectively. The free end of the-lever is ofiset downwardly Each brushis so constructed 7 whereby access may be had to the same below the link98. The lever 96 is also otl'set cdgewise (see Fig. 1), whereby the somemay be turned 180 degrees to the other dead renter position or slightlypast dead center, whereby the same will be inched in operative position.The links 98 and 519 may be provided with additional apertures 102. an.:lor adjustably connecting the same to the lovers all and d3,respectively, for adjusting the brushes relatively to the wheel,

It is necessary that means he provided for holding the wheel 21 inposition during the brushing operation. One manner ot accompliehin thisis shown in Fig. l. fit: the trout ot the machine, or on the .e on whichthe wheel enters the same, a latch 57 is piv otally connected to theframe 11 and is adapted to be forced upwardly by the, wheel as it rollsbeneath the same, and when the wheel passes beneath the same to positionto be operated upon the latch 57 will engage the periphery of the wheeland prevent the same from moving backward. It simila latch 58 is mountedat the rear end of the frame, and the same is adapted to engage theperiphery or tread portion of the wheel for preventing the forwardmovement o if the wheel. The latch 58 is provided with a rigid extensionor hell crank as), to which a pull rod (31 is pivotally connected, Whenthe wheel 21 rolls beneath the latch 57 it will come in contact with thelatch which will prevent its further movement until the pull rod (31 ismoved forward for elevating the latch 58 to permit the wheel to passbeneath the same.

In the operation of the device the wheels are placed in the :l'orwardend of the track, and roll by gravity along the same into engagementwith a stop 50, which is provided with a spring-pressed releasing arm56. When it is desired to place a wheel in position to be operated upon.the arm is de pressed by the foot ot the operator and the wheel 21 ispermitted to roll by gravity into a position where it. is held b thelatches 5T, The following or succeedingwheel will be held by the latch50 until, in its turn, it is permitted to roll into position to bebrushed. The lever or is moved in wardly, which movement through theracks and 5a, and the gear 52-, will cause a eorresponding inwardmovement of the other lever, thereby moving the brushes 23. intoengageniei'it with the sides of the wheel. The brushes being rotated bythe motor will clean the suritace oi the wheel in a comparatively lewrevolutions. When the wheel has been suliiciently cleaned the operatormoves the pull rod 61 forwardly, which releases the wheel and permitsthe same to roll rearwardly along the tracks.

Suitable mechanism is mounted adjacent to the tracks in rear of theframe 11 tor rough grinding or lacing the inner end of the hub (38 otthe wheel Ell. .ls shown, this means (.Oll'llJllStErl a rotating grinder62, which is rotated by a suitable motor till carried by a trame til.'lhc grinder may be, and 1irelerably is. mounted on the armature .ahai'ttill. as shown in l lg. .3. The frame (3-!- is pivotally and slidablymounted on a rod secured adjacent to the lower track It). The rodlocated inwiurdly ot the center of gravity of the motor (33, wherebygravity will tend to hold the grinder (52 out of contact with the wheel.lhc :lrame (3-Clprovided with a curved leg;- (it), the lower end oiwhich is adapted to engage the frame member 'l't) tor limiting theoutward movement of said traine. The t'ralne Gel is moved inwardly tobring the ,tgrinder (32 into e11- gagcment with the hub of the wheel, byany i-auitable means, as the lover {it rigidly secured to said 'l'ralne.'lhe lrame is moved longitudinally of the rod by means ol the lever(31'. In the operation ot the device the lovers tit). (57, are graspedby the hands of the operator and are suitably operated to cause thegrinder (32 to engage all surfaces of the end of the hub (l8 ot thewheel 2i.

l'riuitabte means are provided for causing the wheel to rotate in orderto insure even grinding ol the end ol? the hub. Means are also providedfor guiding the wheel during its rotation. As shown in Figs. l and 2 ofthe drawing, the means tor rotating the wheel rom n'm '1 a plurality olrollers (5.), ll, havingperipheral grooves 72, i l, in alignmentwith thelower tracl; 1.6 for engaging the flange ll) oi the wheel. in order toinsure unitorm grinding ol the hub means are provided for rotating therollcrs tit), Tl. its shown, the roller tit) is rotated by means of asprocket TO which is operated from the power sha'" it) by the flexibledrive T3. The parts are so arranged that the roller 69 rotates atgreatly reduced speed over the power shaft ill}. whereby the wheel illwill be slowly rotated. (luidc bars T4 are provided for guiding theupper portion of the wheel while it is travelingalong the track ltl onto the rollers (35). Tl.

rluit'able means are provided for guiding; the upper surface of thewheel during its rotation. its shown, a roller 75, having a. peripheralgroove 70 t'or engaging the flange is employed 'l'or this purpose. Theroller '75 is journaled in blocks 9:2 slidably mounted in a pair ofslotted plates 53, secured to the lever or lever arms Ti". The blocks53:2 are adapted to be adjusted alone the plates as: by means of screwsilei: that engage their upper surface. tt prings J5 are adapted to holdthe blocks upwardly against the ends of the screws 9%. The arms T7 arein parallel relation and are pivoted as at 78. it counterweight T9 isadapted to be attached to the free end of the lever arms 77, as by tilli'neans of the liexiblemember 80. The parts are soconstructed andarranged that the lever or lever arms 77 will be held in either itsoperative or inoperative position.

Suitable means are provided for grinding the flange 19 of the wheel forremoving pro ]6Cl3lOI1S and smoothing the periphery of the flange duringthe hub grinding operation. As shown, this is accomplished by means of agrinder 81, rotated transversely to the flange 1-9 by a motor 82 mountedon the lever 77. The roller constitutes a guide and gage for the grinder81. As the grinder wears away, or if it is desirable to grind morematerial from the flange, the lever arm 77 is lowered by adjusting theblocks 92 by means of the screws 94.

In Fig. l is shown a modified form of mechanism for rotating the wheel.In this form of the device the wheel supporting rollers 69, 71, are bothpositively rotated by providing an idler gear 85 for engaging thecorrespondin gears 86, 87, on the shafts 88, 89, respectively, of therollers 69, '71. The idler gear is provided for causing the rollers (39,Tl, to turn in the same direction, whereby both will tend to rotate thewheel during the operation of the device.

In the operation of the device the wheels are placed on the track 16 atthe front of the machine with the flange engaging the upper track forholding the wheel in upright position. The wheels roll by gravity alongthe tracks into engagementwith the stop 50, from which, by manipulatingthe stop, they are admitted as required to the brushing station, wherethey are cleaned by the brushing operation. After the cleaning operationthe latch 58 is elevated, which permits the wheel to roll on to therollers (59, '71, which constitute the grinding station, where the huband flange are properly ground. After this grinding operation the lever77 is elevated and the wheel is pushed over the roller 71 or. to thetracl; 16, which conducts it away from the machine.

lVhile I have disclosed my device as being operated by electric motors,it is evident the same may be operated by any convc i nt or suitablepower mechanism.

It is thought from the foregoing, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, that the construction and operation of my devicewill be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that various changesin size, shape, proportion and details of construction may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1-- 1. In combination, a frame, a pair of tracksfor engaging the flange of a car wheel at its upper and lower portionsfor guiding the wheel in its rolling movement along said tracks and forsupporting the same in upright posiiion, means for holding said wheel ina predetermined position on said tracks, brushes movably mounted on saidframe each side of said tracks, means for simul taneously moving saidbrushes to and from said wheel, and means for operating said brushes.

2. In combination, a supporting frame, a pair of wheel brushing devicesmounted on said frame and movable toward and from each other, a pair ofinclined tracks for conducting a wheel by gravity to and from said.frame, latch mechanism for holding said wheel in a predeterminedposition on said tracks, means for operating said latch mechanism, alever at each side of said frame, means connecting said levers forsimultaneously moving said devices into contact with the sides of saidwheel, and means for operating said devices for simultaneously cleaningboth sides of said wheel.

3. In combination, a. pair of tracks for engaging the flange of a carwheel for holding the same in upright position, latch means for holdingsaid wheel in non-rotatable position on said tracks, a rotating brush ateach side of said t'ach for engaging the inner and outer faces of a carwheel, means for moving said brushes to and from each other, and meansfor rotating said brushes.

l. In combination, means for holding a car wheel, an inclined track forguiding said wheel to said means, a latch normally in operative positionfor holding said wheel on said track in a predetermined position to beoperated upon, whereby said wheel will roll along said track when saidlatch is released, a brush for cleaning one side of said wheel, meansfor moving said brush laterally, and means for operating said brush. I

5. In a wheel cleaning device, a pair of inclined tracks for engagingthe flange of a car wheel at its upper and lower portions for holdingthe same in upright position and for guiding the same as it rolls alongsaid tracks, a pair of brushes for cleaning said wheel, means forsimultaneously moving said brushes toward and from each other, and meansfor simultaneously rotating said brushes.

6. In combination, a frame, a pair of tracks on said frame for engagingthe flange of a car wheel for holding the same in upright position, aset of brushes at each side of said traclr, means including slidable androtatable shafts for moving said brushes toward each other and forrotating the same, a motor, a power shaft extending transverse ly tosaid tracks, and operated by said motor, a pulley on said shaft at eachside of said tracks, and gearing between said pulleys and said firstnamed shafts and latching means for holding said wheel in positionduring the brushing operation.

7. In combination, a pair of inclined tracks for engaging Hm upper andTower w-l'ilflxwul puri'inm n1 :1 mnwhue] 'kn' 110M- 511;; the :mnninlllll'ii'lli, pm-aiiiun {HM} 1 0% miiting Hm sauna in ml! bygl-gl'zn'ily Mung: mid truck, a si'zltiuu 111022;; said hawk means Forhuh'ling mid W110?! :11 nibl wlmirion, Wilhon! runmviilg said when? frommid ia'zuzim, |):u.-s]w:-; at said rliniinn im' 01 wining *zmvh side ofsaid whvul, 1110:1115 im' s-zimu]hmvously :fif 'llsHHgj mid IHIIFIHH inand from said whQuL muans 10 0pm: in mid brushes, and menus for rammingmid whi e]. from Said siui'iun in pn'imii mid wlwul [n roll along; maidil'zwk.

